The Master List: The Best Things to Do in Dallas This Weekend, September 30-October 2

This weekend is shaping up to be a pretty damn good one. You can eat yourself, laugh yourself and scare yourself silly Friday and Saturday and then walk it all off on Sunday in time for another manic Monday. And, sure, the heat came back for a bit. But with all of the eating and laughing and scaring and walking, you'll hardly remember. Promise.

Get out the Tums, it's time for the Fried Fair of Texas. We know, We know, it's called the State Fair of Texas. But we seriously think they should consider changing their name considering the annual offerings. This year's competition included fried bubble gum, deep fried pineapple upside down cake, deep fried Texas salsa and fried autumn pie. The Big Tex Awards went to fried bubble gum for Most Creative and Buffalo chicken in a flapjack for Best Taste.

Of course, food isn't the only fun to be had at the fair, there are rides and games and exhibits and presentations. You can shop and taste and test and watch and play. In other words, there's lots to do no matter your age or interest. For true foodies, there's the Celebrity Kitchen featuring a number of celeb chefs and if you're a theater buff, check out this year's State Fair Show, West Side Story. Your ticket to the show will also get you into the Fair on the same day. Now there's a serious bargain. Find all you need to know at bigtex.com.

Tucker & Dale vs. EvilFriday, September 30, at Landmark's Inwood Theatre Finally a unique take on rednecks gone evil. Two hillbillies, perfectly good guys it turns out, head off for a getaway at a cabin in the woods. Only a group of camping college students assume they're vicious killers -- too many B horror movies, we guess. Director Eli Craig was new to the directing game with Tucker & Dale vs. Evil but you might recognize Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine who play the hillbillies as they were both in sci-fi cult hit Firefly.

Here's the crazy part -- idiocy and happenstance, lead to the students dying gruesome deaths, while the hillbilly duo are trying their best to simply enjoy their woodsy vacay. The film premiered at the Sundance and SXSW in 2010. It's now out as a nationwide, limited theatrical release. Shows are at midnight Friday and Saturday at the Inwood Theatre as part of their "Midnights at the Inwood." Tickets, $10. Call 214-764-9106 or visit landmarktheatres.com.

Comedy Show Benefiting the American Red Cross Texas Wildfire Fund Saturday, October 1, at Dallas Comedy House Prepare to laugh. A lot. Dallas Comedy House and Dave Razowsky are is producing a comedy show 10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Comedy House. Proceeds benefit the American Red Cross Texas Wildfire Fund. If you're not familiar with Razowsky, he's the former artistic director of the Second City who once toured and performed with the likes of Steve Carrell and Amy Sedaris. And, if you're not familiar with Dallas Comedy House, well you should be -- it's an improvisational training center and performance venue in Deep Ellum.

To make things really interesting, current and former students of Dallas Comedy House Training Center can purchase raffle tickets for an opportunity to perform with Razowsky Saturday night. Too bad the public can't buy raffle tickets -- but at least we can buy tickets for admission. Visit dallascomedyhouse.com.

Art In Motion, opening celebration for Art In October Saturday, October 1, in the Dallas Arts District Join the kick-off for Art in October at Art in Motion. Decorate any human-powered vehicle from skateboard to stroller and join the parade. Or, come at 9 a.m. and decorate on the spot -- free supplies provided! Parade begins at 10 a.m. at One Arts Plaza and ends at Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Collection of Asian Art, and Nasher Sculpture Center, where admission is free for the day.

If you like, you can even register for the judging and have a chance to win a night at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, tickets to performances and admission to various events throughout Art in October, and more. Categories for judging include: Most Creative (adult), Most Creative (child); Most Colorful (adult); and Most Colorful (child). Breakfast tacos from Jorge's will be available for sale beginning at 8:30 a.m. with proceeds going to Booker T. Washington.

Art for Outsiders: Gallery Grand Opening Saturday, October 1, at Smoke and Mirrors Finally, a place where outsiders are on the in. The new Smoke and Mirrors gallery will feature "outsider" and underground and you can get in right from the start at it's one-night grand opening Saturday. Twenty-plus artists will be showing their work as a part of Art for Outsiders, while the sounds of Unconscious Collective, Lychgate and DJ Discipline play in the background. The show is open from 4 p.m. until midnight, and the drinks are free. Call 214-370-9242.

aidslifewalk.org

AIDS Arms LifeWalk Sunday, October 2, at Lee Park Dual tasking isn't always the best idea. Take driving and texting, for example. But when it comes to exercising and fundraising? Well, that is an excellent idea, and it's exactly what you can spend your Sunday doing at the annual AIDS Arms LifeWalk. It's a 3.2 mile fun/run that begins at Lee Park and then winds through Turtle Creek and Uptown. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 1 p.m. But the activity promises to last all day with food, beverages, games, entertainment, and more. Visit aidslifewalk.org.